WASHINGTON - United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick announced today that he is extending the United States' investigation of Canadian wheat marketing practices from January 22, 2002 until February 15, 2002.

"Promoting American agriculture is a key goal of this Administration. This investigation into the marketing practices of the Canadian Wheat Board is important to American wheat farmers," said Zoellick. "We received a tremendous response to our request for comments on the investigation. Extending the investigation will enable us to thoroughly review and analyze all the information received."

The investigation was initiated in October 2000 under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, based on a petition filed by the North Dakota Wheat Commission alleging unfair marketing practices of the Government of Canada and the Canadian Wheat Board. On December 21, 2001, the U.S. International Trade Commission released a report on Canadian wheat trading practices, which Ambassador Zoellick had requested to assist in the investigation. At the same time, USTR issued a Federal Register notice inviting interested parties to submit comments by January 14 on the issues in the investigation. In response, USTR received over two dozen sets of comments, totaling over four hundred pages.